CNN raked in 8.8 million total viewers from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. EST– the period spanning from when the first polls closed through both Obama and Romney's speeches. That's compared to 8.7 million total viewers for Fox, and 4.6 million for MSNBC.

In the key demo, CNN drew 4.4 million total viewers, compared to Fox's 3.5 million and MSNBC's 2 million.

The election-night victory marks a reversal of fortunes for CNN, which was regularly bested by Fox News during the presidential debates.